July 14, 2005
Ambassador Cyrille S. Oguin
Embassy of Benin
Washington, D.C.
Topic: The Future of Africa.
Cyrille S. Oguin became Ambassador of
Benin to the United States on March 13, 2001.
Ambassador Oguin, began his diplomatic career as early as
March 1978, has wide professional experience in both the
central administration of the Ministry of External Affairs
and Cooperation as well as foreign posts thanks to various
technical positions that he held within the Ministry.
He is also well versed in International Affairs with his
attendance at different international conferences. As Second
Secretary of the Benin Embassy in Accra (Ghana) from 1979 to
1984, he led this mission as Charge d’Affaires Ad Interim
from July 1981 to September 1982, with jurisdiction over
Togo, Burkina Faso. Before his appointment, Ambassador
Oguin served as Director of Human Rights at the Ministry of
Justice, Legislation and Human Rights of Benin (1998-2000),
Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the Minister of External
Affairs and Cooperation (1995-1996), and later as Assistant
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In
November 2000, Ambassador Oguin was inducted into the
Knighthood of Benin National Order (Chevalier de l’Ordre
National du Benin). In August 2001, he was promoted to
“Officier de l’Ordre National du Benin” for his contribution
to Human Rights.
Ambassador Oguin is an
alumna of the Algiers National School of
Administration—Foreign Service, and of the Geneva Graduate
Institute of International Relations, where he obtained a M.
Phil in Law and International Relations. He is a member of
the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development
that is leading the process of Reconciliation initiated in
Benin with the black Diaspora including African Americans.
He is married with two children, speaks French and English,
and has a knowledge of Arabic, which he writes and reads.
